Employment of Young Adults With Disabilities in Dubai—A Case Study

Abstract

The authors investigated the implementation of the United Arab Emirates Federal Law regarding the employment of people with disabilities. They used a case study evaluation of an employment program initiated by a private national landscaping company in Dubai providing training and employment opportunities for young adults with varied physical and intellectual disabilities. The study examined the effects of the program since its inception in 2006, evaluating it with respect to employees' productivity and their psychological, behavioral, and professional development as well as the impact of the program on the work environment and the society in general. The methodology employed a qualitative social constructivist paradigm where the intent was to develop an in-depth exploration of a central phenomenon. The findings showed that the program was successful in offering 36 adults with various physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity of sustainable employment and provided each one of them with a source of livelihood, a chance for building social contacts, and more importantly self-esteem-which is a main construct in empowering people with disabilities to integrate in their communities.

Effects of Vocational Training on a Group of People with Intellectual Disabilities

“…The need for support and assistance in the area of Employment ( Part D) showed the highest percentile of decrease (53.0%) in T 2 in relation to T 1 (Table ), which is consistent with a more productive performance (Alborno & Gaad, ). Trainees at T 1 showed a great need for support in this area (mean score: 58.7), fulfilling criteria to participate on the vocational training.…”

“…Silva, Vitoriano, Scarabeli, and Coelho Ratsbone (2009) through a follow-up study found an improvement in adaptive skills of people with ID at work environment after the period of training, being a decisive influence on social insertion. Similarly, employability facilitates the construction of social contacts and even the development of good self-esteem (Alborno & Gaad, 2012). Then, the more people with ID became independent, the better they will make choices and broaden their range of social interaction (Fern andez-Batanero & Oliveira, 2007;Gomes-Machado & Chiari, 2009).…”

A Foucauldian Interpretation of Paralympic Sport in the United Arab Emirates: An Exploration Through a Virtual Lens

“…37 The perceptions of disability are mixed within the UAE. In the studies that have analysed the attitudes surrounding both intellectual and physical disability in the UAE in mainstream education, 38 physical and intellectual disabilities in the workplace, 39 and social inclusion and the subsequent responses of the families, 40 similar results on attitudes with disability within the last 15 years have been found. Alghazo and Gaad report, that within education in the UAE, there are generally negative attitudes surrounding students with disabilities in mainstream education.…”

“…43 Alborno and Gaad note, that within the workplace employment of those with a disability was seen as an act of charity rather than a right. 44 There is a social stigma placed upon those with disabilities and the previous examples are supported by the work of Crabtree, who states that the home is seen as the most appropriate domain for adult female daughters and young children with disabilities. 45 It is important to state at this juncture that Islam does not discriminate against those with disabilities and teaches that care should be extended to those who have a disability.…”

The Employment Continuum: A Framework for Hiring People with Disabilities in Dubai, UAE

“…However, if not guided by proper vocational and employment protocol, there is risk of placing a POD in a role that is unsuitable, and a multitude of consequences could ensue. Simply relying on on-the-job training or placement by type of disability (as has been the case) in the absence of any kind of formal assessment for abilities and capacity, can yield unfavourable, even detrimental results [19].…”